Method and apparatus for storing, atomizing, and generating liquefied petroleum gases



9, 1945- J. R. HOLICER 2,386,554

METHOD AND APPARATUS FUR. STORING, ATOMIZING, AND

I GENERATING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet l John. 2.. Hal/cer- INVENTQR.

BY W? W V I Arron/v5) Oct 1945- J. R. HOLICER 2,386,554

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND GENERATING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 11

John 2.. 'Ho/icr INVENTOR.

4% BY W HTTORNEY Oct. 9, 1945.

R. HOLICER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND

GENERATING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 3a r 5 E 43 7-42 /"88 7/////////////! I 4 4 70 as Z Z 30 'AIA g g --z1b I 4 I 22 za 4 x Q 2 2 2 i 4 4 --7 I ab v FIG. W John R..H0/icer INVENTOR.

BY V HTTORNE) Oct. 9, 1945'.

GENERATI METHOD AND APPARAT US FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND

NG LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29, 41943 R. HOLICER 2,386,554

9 sheets -sheet 4 0 2 Sin $33 8 lllllllllllllllll/I/l/Lufl John 2.. Ho/I'cer mvmron v Q BY W ATTORNEY 7 Oct. 9, 1945. J. R. HOLICER 2,386,554 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND GENERATING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 John R. Ho/icer INVENTOR.'

. B a I BY ffTTORNEY Oct. 9, 1945.

METH'OD AND APPAR ENERATING HOLIC F STO OR RING ATOMIZING, E IED PETROLEUM GASES Filed Ju e 29 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 2,386,554 AND John Q. HOl/Cer INVENTOR.

HTTORNEY 2,386,554 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND

Oct. 9, 1945. J. R. HOLICER GENERATING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES Filed June 29 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I'll-lb! l I I i l i I l l I I I I I I I I I l I I I l I l 1 I I I l I I l l l I l l l l l l I l I /1 m M 0 v o o o o m o y d n 0 7 g u a 2 u m w 9 l 5 8 I. 3 w

F l G H John Q. Holl'ai'er INVENTOR. BY W HTTORNEY 4 j solution of which-the method and apparatus here and its only source of heat for vaporizing the gas an insulator which must be overcome and dissi- ,1 w the heat of the earth. Both systems prepated by further heat from the earth fore the A ented problems. full generation of liquid into gas may be umed.

s 'PATEN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING, ATOMIZING, AND GENERATING LIQUE FIED PETROLEUM GASES John R. Holicer, Shreveport, l a. Application June 29, 1943, Serial No..492,738

v s qi ims. (once-u), This invention is concerned with method rTnNl: gas business" has been generally abandoned.

UNIT so STATE apparatus for the continuous generation of liqueexcept for the use of extremely light fuels, such fled petroleum fuel gas into combustible dry gas straight propane. This was necessary because through the process of mechanically atomizing where the weather is colder, the demand for fuel the liquid into a vapor-like mist and thereafter increases and the very coldness of the atmosphere subjecting it to gentle heat until generated into inhibits thegeneration of the liquid fuel into gas, dry gas. w especially that having greater heat content, such It is further concerned with the storage of the as butane and iso-butane'.

liquid fuel in one tank and the final generation Some of the problems of the under-ground tank of the gas within another and smaller chamber arise from its rapid deterioration, inaccessibility. ,buried inthe ground and equipped with an exfor inspection to determineleaks and the risks of pansion valve and an atomizer through which it hazard insurance, and inaccessibility for repairs. is supplied with a finely divided spray of fuel to Such a tank has a useful life only during that accelerate the gas generation. period in which its shell is not eaten or rusted away by the chemical action of the 'earth to the Furthermore, this invention, in one of its manifestations,is concerned with the quicker and more poirit where it is weakened below a reasonable voluminous production of the dry gas within a safety factor. Great numbers of such tanks have chamber operating at a pressure lowerv than the given such trouble and will give increasing trounormal gas pressure of the fuel. ble in the years to come.

' A further and very grave problem of the large under-ground storage and generating tank arises from the fact thatthe liquefied fuels are generated into gas within the storage tank itself; and since all combination storage and generating tanks employ the batch system of generating and delivering "gas, there are constant changes in the temperature of the shell of the tank, due to generation of gas and its withdrawal as gas.

This change in temperature is particularly rapid I and great when, as in cold weather, considerable fuel demand causes the rapid withdrawal of the generated gases collected in the upper part of the tank; and as these gases are thus rapidly i withdrawn, the heat which generatedthem and which has been absorbed by. them is.also rapidly withdrawn from the tank. It is a common thing'for heavy frosting to oc- This application is to be considered in connection with. and as an improvement in part of my pending application for patent under Serial No. 402,255. This application has matured into Patent No. 2373,3583; Reference is also.made to my Patent No. 2,317,342. 7

The present invention can perhaps best beunderstood in contemplationof some of the problems whic have arisen in'the earlier art, to ,the

offered is addressed.

Problems 1 the on: an

Various have been the methods and devices tried and employed in attempts to efllcien-tly and Y. safely store petroleum fuels and generate them into dry and combustible gas and deliver such gas to the place of consumption; but many problems have arisen in such attempts. I 011;- on the outside of a batch tank, especially on A very early system required the storage of the under part of'the buried tank below the liquid. these unstable liquid fuels in a combination storlev el,' because that is the region'in which the liquid age and generating tank which, in warm climates, i demanding and receiving heat froin'the earth,

sometinfes received enough heat from the sun or which'lieat is quickly carried away with the gases the atmosphere to convert the most volatile elefrom the upper part of the tank; 'I'he'result is ments of the liquid into gas fueL- that this frost and ice-like coating on the outside Later such a tank was buried in the ground, of the lower part of the tank becomes in effect I, The, problems of the above-ground tank arose With a relatively warm upper part and with a because of the extreme variations in atmospheric 9 cold and frosted under part along a line or level temperature, with the result that (except in iothat changes as fuel is withdrawn, thereis aconcalities where atmospheric temperature is considerable expansion and contraction of metal stantly and normally high the year around, such going on. Not onlywill the joints, whether welded or riveted, be subject to unusual strain, but the as in Southern California, for instance)' the above-ground tank exemplified early in the bot-- 55 very structure of the metal shell itself suffers internal distortion, with the result that its life and usefulness are greatly shortened.

Worse than the effect upon the metal directly resulting from expansion and contraction due to varying temperatures (as above indicated), it

has been found that the tank coating, whether of.

pitted and corroded under their reaction. Elec-- trolysis is also a factor in causing disintegration of the tank walls, once they are exposed to unfavorable chemical reaction in the earth.

However, the chief trouble with any batch system, whether the tank is buried in the ground or placed above ground, is to be found in the fact that the more volatile and unstable fuels leave the liquid first and the heaviest liquids are slowest to vaporize. Therefore, the gas consuming appliance is fed with constantly changing fuel, the light and more volatile gases being consumed first and the heavier last; and the heavy fuels have a much higher B. t. u. content than the more volatile fuels. For instance, propane has 2519 B. t. u.s per cubic foot, and normal butane and iso-butane each have 3274 B. t. u.s per cubic foot. Mixed fuels are widely used.

Propane, with a boiling point of 48.1 F. below zero, is mixed with normal butane, having a boiling point of 32.9 F. above zero; and to this is added iso-butane which boils at 13.64 F. above zero; and the proportions of the mixture vary in different sections of the country. These gases stay well mixed only in liquid stage. When heated, the liquid yields propane first, iso-butane next, and normal'butane last. Thus the batch system runs into trouble.

Very unsatisfactory performance in the batch system generation of dry gases from mixed fuels arises from the fact that after the volatile gases (which produce the greatest pressure) have been withdrawn and consumed, the remaining heavy fuels generate very slowly and the required pressure cannot be maintained, without which a suitable and sufficient suppl of generated gas cannot be delivered.

Dangerous expedients have been adopted in an attempt to maintain uniform pressure inthe generating tank of the batch serious disadvantages and none are satisfactory. "Among these are:

Application of heat to the tank. through the use of a gas jet or other flame, for through the agency of an electric heating coil; and these expedients offer chances for dangerous explosions whenever gas leaks appear.

Attempts have been made to circulate hot water in pipes or coils through the batch tank; but of course a leak'of such water into the fuel tank may temporarily (or permanently) stop the combustion of generated gas at the burners. The later flow of generated gas through an unlit and more sluggish system; but all have whatever means, is a positive and unnecessary expense; because all heat costs money.

The earlier delivered light gases have less B. t. u. content and require less air in combustion; but an adjustment of air at the burner to properly burn such gases will not serve to effect proper combustioi'r'o'f the later heavier gases having greater heat content, because the heavy gases require more air in burning. These changes cannot be made at the burner a few hours apart, especially by the layman consumer. Therefore, the proper mixture never continues available in burning these varying gases arising from mixed fuels in the batch system.

Other problems in the old art have been successfully met by this invention, as will be apparent in the following disclosures.

Utilizing mired fuels Fuel gases derived from liquefied petroleum gases vary in heat content, pressure and reactions to temperature. and otherwise distinguish themselves in varying physical properties.

Availability of each of these liquefied fuels in various parts of the countryis not constant; and other commercial considerations have made the use of mixed fuels widely prevalent.

The mixture is usually of normal butane and propane, and to one or both of these is sometimes added iso-butane. The lower olefin hydrocarbons may be used in the mixture, the commonest being the butylenes; but propylene is occasionally a part of themixture.

The result of the generation of dry gas from a single storage tank containing a mixture of any of these fuels inevitably leads to the liberation and consumption of the lighter ases first, and to a fuel of constantly changing properties. and to trouble and dissatisfaction.

This invention discloses a method and suitable apparatus for storing, generating and utilizing any of the liquefied petroleum gases mentioned above, and other gases substantially similar in character, especially when mixed together and stored for use. This method and system is specifically offered for the safe and satisfactory handling of mixed fuels.

In this system the use of mixed fuels, such as a combination of propane, iso-butane and normal butane, does not give rise to difficulties such as were every day occurrences in the use ofthe old batch system of handling mixed fuels, wherein the lighter fuels came off first.

On the other hand, this system positively enjoys an advantage by reason of the use of mixed fuels. The primary advantage is that these mixed fuelsare withdrawn in liquid state, at which time they are of homogeneous character; and when they are finally turned into gases. the gas is uniform in character, pressure and heat content: and one unvarying adjustment of the burner to introduce a fixed amount of air for combustion continues at all times to be satisfactory.

However, there is another benefit which in itself oflfers a considerable advantage, and that is this: Within the liquid fuel storage tank, where burner is dangerous to life and property in the ing fixtures to explode and burn up the premises;

Any application df additional heat, through the fuels are mixed. there is a constant gas pressure; and this pressure arises out of the temporary and limited expansion into gas of the lightest fuel in the mixture. Of the three fuels named. propane is the lightest. and therefore this gas is largely propane gas, which is very lively and expansive in character; and it generates a good pressure.

This propane gas is never drawn off in gas form and is. not consumed; instead, it stands on top of the fuel, exerting pressure thereagainst at stant and strong gas pressure on the liquid fuel, andthis pressure forces it in a strong and uniform flow into and through the expansion valve,

and finally through the atomizer nozzle to make a spray. The presence of this constant pressure to always furnish sufficient power to mixed and uniform homogeneous liquid is in it-' self constant in character.

Objects of the invention The method employed in this invention is disclosed' throughout this specification; and a vehicle for its employment is disclosed herein and depicted in the drawings.

Such vehicle may be greatly varied in formand arrangement and still employ the method; and

this fact becomes obvious when it is understood 'all times. Therefore, this system affords a conthat the method contemplates the storage of liq- V uefied petroleum gases (and especially a mixture thereof) in ,a separate and relatively-large storage tank that is not designed or operated as a generating tank and which is usually placed above ground for economy. long life and safety.

From the storage tank the fuel is withdrawn in liquid state, usually by gravity and gas pressure, into and through an expansion valve and a mechanical atomizer, which finally divide and break up the liquid into a mist.

The withdrawalby gravity is aided by the gases liberated above the liquid in the storage tank; but these gases are not withdrawn for fuel. Their pressure simply forces the eduction of the liquid.

It must be remembered that thestorage tank used in this system absorbs heat from the atmosphere '(andif buried in the ground, which is not necessary, it absorbs the earth's heat into this storage tank) but in any event the storage tank absorbs heat into the liquid, and it does not lose this heat by having itcarried' off with the charging it intothe relatively large .gas 'g'ene'rating chamber as an atomized mist;

(0) An atomizer plug to promote turbulence;

((1) Pressure control mechanism maintaining the mist receiving chamber under relatively low pressure;

l e) Float mechanism limiting the quantity of liquid fuel permitted to accumulate in the chamber.-

Thus the combined apparatus of the expansion. valve, operating in connection with one or more atomizer nozzles, and the pressure control mechanism and thefioat control and the turbulence plug, will properly condition the liquid and cause it to be delivered into the gas generating chamber as a very fine and thoroughly atomized mist or spray, enormously increased in volume and under a. pressure lower than that carried by the liquid before it enters the expansion valve. and in turbulent condition.

This mist' (produced by the expansion valve and the atomizer) is introduced into a relatively small generating chamber buried in the ground; and it is usually introduced in a swirling manner so as to more. effectively and immediately disi pose the mist particles against the outer shell of the generating chamber, which is relative warm, as it receives heat from the earth; an this heat is fairly constant, because temperature does not change much the year round at a point below the frost line.

A lowering of the pressure in the gas generat ing chamber further facilitates and speeds the process of. gas generation.

Liberation of the dry gas fuel from the gene ating chamber through appropriate control mechanism, including a delivery pipe, a pressure regulator and? a cutoff valve, to the burn rsoiappliances W re the fuel is utilized brings method to an end, and results in the furnishingof a dry gas of uniform properties at. all times. and of sufiicientvolume and pressure, notwithstanding the relatively small size ofthe generating chamber under the ground;

' The intermediate conditioning of the iiquefieu fuel by atomi'zing itprior' to its generation into.

' dry gas is of utmost importance in this method.

gas to be consumed. No gas is taken away from this storage tank at all. The tank has stored within the liquid it contains a latent heat sum- Considering the foregoing. it is clear then that among the objects of this invention are these;

(a) A continuing gas generating system. as opposed tothe batch system.

(b) Uniformity of pressure in the generated gas throughout the entireperiod pf generation and use.

(0) Uniform quality in\thegas derived from mixed fuel, and especially uniform heat content.

cient to generate some gas at ,all times; and it would generate more of the liquid fuel'int gas if the vessel were not sealed and under pressure,

thus inhibiting full generation of the gas,

Therefore, in this system there is present latent heat in the stored liquid equal to that found in the ordinary batch system of generation; but in this system further heat is taken from the earth after the liquid is atomized intoa mist.

In connection with the primary gas generating chamber is located mechanical apparatus of considerable importance:

(a) An expansion valve. which will allow liquid to enter it under pressure and which will discharge such liquid in broken and divided state and in larger volume; I

b) An atomizer nozzle receiving the expanded and partially broken up liquid, passing it through a relatively small orifice, and finally dis- (d) Withdrawal from the storage tank of fuel in liquid state only, it being then thoroughly uniform in mixture, the last gallon withdrawn possessing the same physical and chemical properties as the first gallon taken.

the

(e) Absence of disturbance of the fuelin the (Quantity generation is not ac compl'ished in the ,storage tank, and there is therefore none of the agitation ordinarily present in the batch system where the storage tank is also the generating tank.)

(f) Avoidance of variations in temperature in the storag'e tank and'freed'om from strains upon the tank and the tank coating ordinarly present: in the buried batch tank.

(g) Absence ,of the need of additional heat such as gas fiames, hot water and other. expedients which have been employed and found gen-- erally unsatisfactory in, the batch'system.

(k) Reduction of the pressure in the generating chamber to make more rapid and cbmplete the generation of dry gas therein.

(1) Prevention of the introduction (by accidental means or otherwise) of any considerable quantity of fuel in liqtiidstate into the gas generating chamber by the use 'of a .float .valve or pressure control mechanism. Z

(m) Utilization of latent heat found in the liquidfuel held in storage, and the additionof further heat from the earth into this fuel after it is atomized and introduced into a vaporizin chamber ground.

(nl Gas generation equipment fully covered by the earth and not requiring any hood over it, thus eliminating any direct ,contact between it and cold atmosphere.

. v (ol, Liquid eduction from fuelstorage by either pressure or gravity, yet utilizing the same equipment.

(p) A single above-ground ing all control equipment which may-require manual operation or regular inspection, removably mounted directly within the shell of the storage tank, and from which the vital fittings dependv entirely within the storage tank for safety.

disposed within the protection of the tank that were their exposed parts above the tank all broken oil, the fuel would continue to be safely contained within the tank and none of it could escape to cause explosions and fires.

(r) A liquid level gauge associated with a stor-' age tank and carried by the service head therein, employing a pair of perforated tubes, one rotatable within the other, and so disposed within the tank that no fuel could escape if the topmost.

part of the gau e were broken off.

(.9) Control mechanism associated with a gas generating chamber and cooperating with a liquiri fuel storage tank to allow liquid to flow from i the tank intermittently without interfering with 4 the continuous flow of gas from the chamber. The drawings Numerous arrangements and dispositions can be made of the component parts of this system and still preserve the method here set forth. However, preferred forms of mechanism satisfactory for the practice of this invention are'set out in the drawings, in which:

Fig. I is an elevation of an appropriately ar- 50 ranged system, disclosing an above-ground liquid fuel'storage tank, partly sectionaiized to show fittings. and further disclosing therequisite apparatus below ground.

Fig. II is a sectionalized view of nipple ll,

showing the strainer mounted therein. Fig. III is an elevation of the primary gas gencrating chamber on which i mounted a controller; and connected to this chamber is shown the large auxiliary generating tank, in section.

Fig. IV is a sectionalized elevation in part of the primary generating chamber, with controller and float installed, and carrying an expansion valvewith a single lateral atomizer, all arranged for use without auxiliary generatingfitank.

c eeses the atomized Fig: V is a sectionalized view in perspective of a part of the primary generating chamber head, adapted to carry both controller and float, and

provided with an atomizer having both lateral and horizontal nozzles.

Fig. VI is a sectionalized elevation of primary generating chamber head alone, carrying'a controller and an expansion \valve equipped with a single horizontal atomizer nozzle, all arranged to operate in connection with an auxiliary generating tank. r

Fig. VII is a sectionalized view of primary gen-. erating chamber with controller, but without float. Fig-VIII is a sectionalizedwiew of primary gen- 1 crating chamber with float, biitwithout controller.

Fig. IX is an enlarged sectionalized elevation of theexpansion valve, and a view of thepivoted end of the lever controlling it. *1

'.Fig. X is a sectionalized view of an atomizer {nozzlecarrying a spiral atomizer plug therein,

shown in elevation.

Fig. X1 is a plan view of the control head for carrying fittings within the storage tank.

line A-A of Fig. XI.

FigJXIII is a sectionalized elevation taken along line B-B of Fig. XI.

mead carry- Fig. XIV- is an elevation of the perforated tubes which constitute apart of the liquid level gauge.

, nect the fuel eduction tube carried by the con- (q) All control fittings for the storage tank so 35 body. s

In the dfiawings the numeral [indicates a suit.

able tank for holdin liquefied petroleum gases and like fuels. It may be placed above ground, as shown in the drawings; and this is the preferred position. However, the systemwill work perfectly if this tank is otherwise positioned, as on the ground, or even buried entirely under the ground. The shape and size of this tank is of no particular moment, except that it be adequate in size and strength to hold a given load of fuel. Because a circular tank, either vertically or horizontally disposed, is usually stronger and easier to make than tanks of some other shape, the circular tank has been indicated, although the other shapes will serve adequately.

When made in cylindrical form and disposed horizontally, the tank is preferably equipped with dished heads 2 and 3. In the top of the tank are mounted certain control fittings carried by service head 89. These fitting-s are covered for purposes of safety, security *and convenience, with a hood 4, which i mounted on top of the tank through the use of a hinge 5, or other suitable fastening devices; and the hood is provided to be locked against prowlers whenever this is deemed necessary. A look 6 is shown.

A liquid fuel outlet is provided through the bottom of the tank by having welded therein a collar 1 extending into the tank. The collar is provided to extend within the tank a short. distance in order to prevent foreign substancesv and I water from being immediately discharged into Eig. MI is a sectionalized elevation taken along this outlet which receives the liquidfuel to be housing by being spot-welded or'riveted or otherwise afllxed in place with fastenings I I- a.

For purposes of convenience in occasionally removing strainer-nipple III for cleaning, there is provided in cooperation with it and valve 8 a union I2; and all of these fittings communicate with liquid fuel pipe l8. Ashort section of this pipe is made of flexible material l8-a to accommodate the expansion in pipe I3. v I

'It is to be noted, however, that eduction of the liquid fuel may be accomplished through the use of a pipe or conduit entering the fuel storage tank at its top or side, provided that the receiving end of this pipe be so disposed as to be kept under and below the level of the liquid in the tank; and the liquid fuel will flow into this pipe when so disposed at all times because of the continuing presence in the pipe of pressure occasioned by the liberation of a relatively small quantity of the liquid into expanded gas within tank I which supplies this pipe with liquid fuel.

"A suitable conduit may be made of pipe I21, provided to connect dip tube "4 with pipe l8.

Liquid fuel may be withdrawn from tankfl' through dip tube 184, which is provided to extend below service head 88, carrying an excess flow check valve llll. In the drawings the outlet for this tube appearing in the top ofkthe service head carries a plug I82; but this plug can be removed and pipe I 21 installed to connect with assets v ing arms or extensions upward to afford a rest for the tank; and these arms may be fastened to the supporting piers by bolts 28.

The liquid fuel pipe It may go down into the ground below the tank; and the direction of such line may be changed into a substantially horizontal direction by the use-of an elbow l6, so that it may more conveniently connect with primary 1 gas generating chamber 8.

Gas generating chamber 8 is ordinarily con structed of two members, the upper part being head 8-1:, which is'imposed upon and fastened to well 8-!) through the use of flanged members 2la and 2l.-b, carrying suitable gasket material 22 therebetween. faces in place; and they may be removed for the purpose of separating vaporizer headtfrom vaporizer well whenever desired. A threaded connection may be provided between this head and the well, if desired, instead of the flanges.

' 21; or this connection mayfbe made by threads.

Vapor izing chamber head 8a is provided with an arm -28 carrying valve '44 through which liquid-passes, and an arm 28 through which gas is a valve similar 5 to valve 8 and communicating.

with strainer-nipple I0, all forming a part of the conduit delivering liquid below ground to pri-.

mary gas generating chamber 8, without using the outlet 1 in the bottom of the tank (which would, of course, be plugged; and plug I82 could be so used). 7

- Thedip tube method of liquid eduction is-especially desirable where tank I is placed flat on the ground orunder ground, and where mixed I fuel is used.

However, straight butane, with a boiling point "of 32.9 l t, can be used alone when the storage tank is above ground, and gravity tunaided) will supply suflicient fuel to the gas generating equip-' ment even in the coldest weather.

Because foreign materials and water sometimes collect in storage tanks holding fuel of the character used in this system, it is desirable to provide a clean-out opening in the lowermost part of the tank; and such is indicated by a collar 14 which passes through the bottomof the tank and is welded in place. This collar i4 is to be mounted flush with the bottom of the tank, .and does not extend into the tank, because the;

flusharrangement will facilitate drainage. 'The end of the tank where the clean-out opening is installed maybe made slightly lower than the opposite end thereof to further facilitate drain age; and a clean-out valve I8 is provided to communicate with this outlet. This valve re-'- mains" closed during normal operations.

the earth itself is here indicated as 18.

The piers may carry a suitable cradle l8 havdischarged toward pipe. The arm 29 is provided with a flange member 3|; and a like flange Ii is provided on the auxiliary generating tank. Gasket material 32 is placed between the flanges which are united by bolts-38. Threads may supplant these' flanges and bolts.

Pipe 88 carries gas to the place of consumption, it is provided with pressure regulator 81, and it may carry a cut-oil valve also; but the pressure regulator is entirely covered by earth to keep its temperature uniform. It is in no wise exposed to the chilling eifects of atmospheric temperature, especially undesirable in the winter time, as is so common in other systems'where a covering hood arrangement coming up to the surface of the earth allows'cold air to surround it. In the ordinary systems this was considered necessary because the service and control valves,

fittings and equipment have been heretofore asthrough, giving rise to many troubles and an"- noyances.

In one form of the gas generating chamber 8, it is provided to carry a controller 34, which is formed of top 35 and base 86, each fitted together with flange-like extensions, carrying therebetweena diaphragm 81 forming a partition across the hollow body of controller 34;-and this diaphragm is responsive to pressure within gas generating chamber. 8. The two members of controller 34 are bolted together with bolts 88.

The resistance of diaphragm 81 is controlled by spring 68 which may be adjusted to allow a predetermined pressure in chamber 8 to operate valve 44. Air relief required by the movement of the diaphragm is provided by vent 48 leading to the atmosphere. Vent 48 extends upwardly Bolts 28 hold the flange This resulted in ocypan'sion valve and atomizer head 4'; and -these members may be considered together as to a point above the ground level and is finished. with an inverted U fitting ll :which is turned 1 downwardly to. keep out rain and foreign material and wliichemay be provided with a screento keep out insectse l I Controller 34 may be mounted in the very topmost. part of chamber 8 by having. the collar 42 welded ]to the-latter, carrying a short piece. of V pipe .43 which communicates with the controller and supports it; or a flange may be used inste of this collar. g

In connection with primary gas generating chamber 8, the arm 28 is provided to carry-exthe delivery end of pipe II. .From this connectlon there leads away a liquid inlet channel 48 to the valve for the delivery of liquid fuel through valve seat 48. Resting onthe. valve seat, when the valve is closed, is valve plunger 50 which carries valve disc II to provide a resilient butpositive closure of the valve.

Around-valve plunger III is disposed packing material 52, held in place by packing nut lI-a,

to prevent the. valve from leaking around the' plunger. The upper part of valve plunger I is mounted within a channel 53; and this channel has the appearance of a U-shaped slot cut into the upper body'of the valve; and it communicates with chamber 8. Within this channel is provided 'alever 54 mounted on a fulcrum pin II and attached loosely to the plunger with pin 50, so that when the free end of lever 54 is moved up or down, the plunger operates to close or open the valve; and this lever vll may be caused to operate by one orthe other of two entirely distinct and separate forces, as hereinafter ex- 'plained. Y

There is provided liquid channel II to re ceive liquid which passes through the valve and to deliver it into the atomizing chamber iii; and the latter chamber is considerably larger than the channel through-which it is supplied; and it is a great deal larger than the orifice II which provides the discharge opening from the atom-- her head 45 into chamber 8.

The atomizer head -45 is provided with a removable nozzle 80, so that it may be replaced with another such nozzle having larger or smaller orifice 58. The body of the atomizer head itself is removably threaded into an opening II which is provided in the valve body.

It is to be observed that by turning the atomizer head l! to the right or to the left slightly so that it does not look directly down, there will be produced a swirling eil'ect of the expanding gases flowing through the atomizer; and as they strike the cylindrical walls of chamber 8, they describe a somewhat spiral movement which quickly subjects these gases to the heat of the relatively warm walls .of this tank, such heat being provided fromthe latent heat of the earth present below the frost line.

The receiving end of expansion valve 44' is provided with a threaded pipe connection" into which may be screwed' gas generating chambe assess nozzles. can takev'arious forms. n single nozzle may. be used, asshown-bynumeral 45. However, the'atomize'rj head'may be provided with twoor more nozzles, each having a suitably sized a orifice therein; A variant ofthis kind, showing two such outlets, one substantially horizontal in directionandthe other at aslisht angle oflof the vertical, isshownin atomlzerhead l2; and this form is particularly" desirable when dry' gas is generated both within" the primary generating chamber I and .the auxiliary generating tank 80, whenever the latter is usedi-andthe/latter is provided where there is a heavy demand for a u large volume of dry and thoroughly gasiiied fuel.

5 When an unusually large quantity of dry gas is required, an atomizer head with, ural outlets is againused; and one such outlet livers mist ,directly into a still larger auidliary'generating taiiknrranged as shown by numeral 06.

When mist is to be delivered into the auxiliary generating tank, and when well 8.bof. 1the'primary generating chamber is not ,used, a nozzle with onedirect outlet is used, asshownby numeral Ill.

In operation the expansion valve allows the introduction of liqueiled petroleum gases, in liquld form and under pressure, through pipe l3 and through the inlet. channel 4|. This fuel is still in liquid form as it passes through channel 51;

so but when it passes into the relatively larger chamber IO, it is somewhat expanded in volume. However, its greatest and most completeand instantaneous expansion is produced by the passage of this fuel out of the rather minute orifice 5 J0 into the relatively enormous chamber 8.

The result of the joint-operation of the expansion valve and the atomizer-is to produce an 8110!? mously expanded gas from a relatively small quantity of liquid. This gas at this stage is made .40 up' of an infinite and-incalculable number of tiny and mist-like particles which. appear to the eye as a gray mist; but in thisstage further treatment is required to make of the fuel a true and dry gas; and this is accomplished within the Ifbecause this chamber, buried in the earth reeives' sufllcient heat to immediately translate this atomized fuel into dry gas, This is a distinct and extremely valuable part of this invention; because, were liquid fuel allowed torenter the chamber in quantity, the

generation would be slow and relatively little gas of properlydry and combustiblecharacter would be. delivered therefrom. This chamber is not large enough to generate, sufficient gas directly from theliquld fuel without previous atomization o'rexpansion, V

However, by expanding and atomizing the liquid fuel and-introducing it into the primary chamber in expanded and atomized form, the

' generation of my gas withinthis chamber is quick, and a. great quantity'ofdry and-combustible gas flows therefrom, as g The generation of dry gasin greater quantity and. at greater speed is furtherpromoted-by al- 5 lowing its generation in chamber i atapressure considerably lower than that exerted by the incoming liquid passing through pipe it Such liquid is usually under a pressure between and Iii-pounds; and chamber 8 is usually operated at I itobpoundspressure.

mith-cap'iil. It will be seenthenjthat'byiremovint-this :cal gthe-control .nuttmay be so disposed to incrcas'emr sprin'-lI,-- and-thus increaseordecrease' the re- :sistanceof theidiaphragm to'prestn re.

expansi continueuntil" the toril y'withthe use oil 701 a ber trans this' iioatis-capablepoflbeina'i H onevabovevand one ibelowi the rdiaphrazmy-so that yarhenthe idiaphragmtmoves, l0fm0Vellthe-1'0d.' k I gNoWtheresisianc Jof this fdiiphragmstoapres-fissure*is cbntrolled zbyaesprlha It; resting upon I appliances.

:properplace. r v

iibove the sprint" isrcontrof'nut t'l, which;is

- threaded :intopnine ll provided inthe uppermost -'-ed-":openina carrying control nut is =closed" decrease-the compression on I I I a"a e;s4 the r centerioi-ithiaidiaphrazmz is..control was! j not-only prevents 'the rappearanceloi any considerablequantity'oi liquid iuel in chamber 8, but it will'positiveiyprevent the iilling oi-this 5. If'chamber with such liquid and the subsequent *iflow ;.01 the liquid 'irom the" chamber a through eliminated.

I However. a 115 arrangement is to prevent 'satety' measure and 1o;-u1;1;gue1"ent rm the premises seryediordinarily I with dry as by thls svstem; liquid fuel appearing where =pipe-lt to the burners and'other iuelconsuming This is a decidedly advantageous its operation prevents liqit is not desired isthe .ilow of liquid to th'e burners without in any manner whatsoever.

cuttingoil or In this *r-Below.the'diaphraamis'jpassaae'll tvhichireely so system zasI flows "continuously,-but liquid'does communicates therewithandalsowith; the tank a l. "Threadsyare providediinrodwlto receive ad-;

.- justing nut'l l, which; isrkeptiinplace ,:by lock mit 12. V 'rhrouzh'the iree end 01. lever n were. is "pro-1'; vided a 'hole II slightly-larger" thanthe diameter oi. control rod- N; .and' this r rod passes through "thishole. I

rrovisionis made or thefiautomatic operation on valvellby ithe movement .of'leve'r J4; -rand' this -'*lever "may be separately and'rin'dependently operated in automatic. fashion byyeither the controller 34 or-"theifloat' 142- v i It-may be-operatedby exeess pressure within;

"chamberi :vi'rhich .is aexerted aaainst -diaphragmi IL- The .iupward movement-.- of control :rod it hits adiustlnanut "'Ii. onthe'lowerend of'the. and even ashahtupward movemnt of nut 'will bring it-azainstzthatfreeend orilever ll whichsurrounds therod; andin this way the expansiou-valve will 'be closed against any iurthe'i'ili uid iuel. This'condition .of --closure will I ore-within the tankis relieved; andsucn-vreliet;follows the 'further'nse 0t as from primary: generating :ch amber.

I Blit this chamber is;- always under-low pressure,

relatively "low-.jpresaure maintained in the primary chamber -.wu1 expedite the generation vinto gas :0! iany'iliquid1uel that may have alecumulated by condensationor otherwise in this tank.-

This

the controllerflralone and without :the auser'or-the float mechanism, which 7 is capable ot separately closina this valve.

Independent for automatically closing weight .noatl'll normaliy;

lifted up within the -wellwhenever liquid xacc'u "mulates in the" bottom *dfivthe chamber well. Attaehedgtoand vertically 'disposed above i float 14 float-tube 'l.l',-zsecurely.aflixed* thereto. The -.upper end:.of. I I I lie-whichm'ayibe made as an enlaraementi ot d-Eas tozsurround the lower-"end, control-rad i and nut's l [and 12 attachedto ch f0d; bllt"withouttouchingi'these elem nts of control mecha I 3 However. it isiw'ell to provide a small extension -61 control "rod N, whichextension is indicated 'toiorm a cuide theretor'in'conditioninz the upiard and downward movement oi this tube.

system may be operated ,uuite satistacv valve is provided'by' the'floatimeeh- I this tube. terminates in -float "cup #66 'Inthe event any liquid fuel, by condensation tube 15, it'iinds i in the bottom thereof; the convex surface of '---'dispersed against the warm outer wallso'f cham- 'ber l'andbe generated into gas.

The upper surface 80 1 spherical downwardly into chamber] througnatomizer It will not long the tankywhi'chis not as warm as thereof. On the 0th the spherical surf sides, :which are I walls of the tank;and=such atomized 'tuel asthus this passes downwardly to pass through the relatively; between thefloat r hand, it 'will move around e of float ll and doyzn its in general proximity-with;

will b' 'foreed: 11 space 11! chamber walls; and

around the {float andv I the this promotes-rapid aasiflcatioh'of the fueh I While'this system is ordinarily operated with both the use otfcontroller I4 andflo'at. ll. em-

. ploying' the cooperation of control rod ll, andthe cooperation of float tube 15 with.

' fleve flev'erll; their tion.whenevermends I clearly provided "1or';--.and-the;fsystem erated with controller alonei: 'erated with I may besuppliedin left out.

84 with separite fand":-independent operatoundg. desirable, is here d it ma be oplie that alone. Whe esired,'zeither theistriicture a the other.

'- -l l "in connectionlwlth'chamber 8 when the-.910 j eration oththe II I I I arrangement without-the controller; *but employor this "valve is effected solely -by the" opcontrollers.- Fig. ,VIII shows the in; "the float ll. 1 Fig; IV 'showsthe usual arrangewan pattern: 'ifect'the 'sateziiandsyfpr mentemployin the controller'enmthfe float.

'ttheir separate-operations and funch'ey will automatically ef-y which theywere designed I: to noted thatthi's float mechanism vitally imfi ftanti-advadtagebr this its wayrout oi tdrainag hole I8 and it will flow down'over -and-separatelyfprbmotethe "quickzgenerationof k--"the"=fuel"into'drysas .berij is sum the peculiar o atomization into this chamber:

'troduced other under cientr andthis is ad by reason'oi advantage of Y the expansion and o! the liquid fuel salt is being inand ordinarily no 2It""has been-determindf fthatfor all normal I "needs ofthe' -average"installationor thissystem.

the.relativlysmall-primary gas aeneratincch m ground generating tank'is used. or

-V .found necessary in this system.

IKowever, so that the production of this sys- "*tem may bestandardized, especially as to size.

and all danger or diminishing the how of gas to the "burners. The burners do not so .out and later 1 deliver unburned gas. into the premises.

14 is substantially-- in designso that atomized-fuehthrown be contained near'the center or the side walls flie'g maho vs'the'operationof expansion-valve I the frost line,

construction details and parts, provision has been made for augmenting the delivery of dry gas where a greater than normal demand is made 'shape and design may be employed as the auxiliary tank, provided it be buried in the earth and be connected to receive its fuel in atomized condition.

Therefore, there has been indicated the standard primary gas generating chamber 8, with its usual complement of fittings, as hereinabove set out in detail, and connected to this chamber is auxiliary gas generating tank 80. When no auxiliary tank is used, plate 39 receives pipe 30; but when installed, tank 80 is connectedas follows:

A cylindrical tank of most any length running from a few feet to many feet, is disposed under the earth to be connected to outlet arm 29 through the use of a flange 8| flange 3| on arm 29, using bolts andgasket; or it may be secured by threads. l

Flange 8| is disposed at the end of arm 29 approximately in line with an atomizer nozzle positioned to discharge its atomized gases in sub-' stantially horizontal direction, so that tank 80 may be readily and immediately fed and supplied with such atomized gases.

, Flange 8| communicates with the auxiliary tank at its receiving end and on a line with the bottom of the tank; and this position is indicated for the reason that when so disposed, very little, if any, liquid fuel may appear in tank 80 (or tank 86) by reason of condensation of atomized vapors, or otherwise; and the excess fuel in liquid form drains backward through arm 29 down into chamber 8, where, if it appear in any considerable quantity, it will promptly cause the elevation of float 14 and the closure of valve 44.

A small quantity of liquid fuel may occasionally appear as the result this tank, such appearance is limited in quantity and lies in immediate contact with the relatively warm shell of the tank; where it is quickly converted into dry gas as a result of the heat of the earth.

In the use of an auxiliary tank together with primary chamber 8, both of these containers are fed with atomized fuel and both of them readilyand quickly and thoroughly convert this fuel into d y as of proper consistency for complete combustion.

Since this system demontrates that liquefied petroleum fuel gases may be efiiciently, readily and almost instantaneously converted into dry gas by having them introduced in atomized state into suitable containers buried in the earth below the advantage of the use of an auxiliary tank comes apparent. An auxiliary tank may be installed in such length as to meetthe demands of the large fuel needs of publimbuildings, schools, churches, warehousesand ofllces.

Further flexibility is afforded by reason of the fact that the atomizer may be supplied with nozzles having larger or smaller orifices as needs may dictate. A laterally disposed atomizer nozzle 84 may be provided with a smaller oriflce than the atomizer nozzle 85, which is substantially horizontal in disposition, the better to supply'the auxiliary tank through arm 29. This particular on tank 80, bolted to the l of condensation in the aux iliary tank; but because of th construction of g a positive advantage;

progresses beyond the point of emission at the orifice; and when so positioned, float tube 15 only serves further to break up and cause the discharge of this atomized gas nearer the side walls of arm 29' and the-walls of the auxiliary, tank, wherethey further receive heat from the earth through such walls.

Turbulence in the delivery of atomized fuel into a gas generating chamber, whether into the primary chamber or into the auxiliary chamber, is

and because of this advantage, special provision has been made to increase this turbulence, so that the atomized'spray is more readily and quickly thrown against the relatively warm walls ofthe chamber in which it a plug.

is generated into dry gas.

To this end a turbulence plug I2! is provided and inserted within the atomizer nozzle so that the stream of atomized fuel does not flow outwardly from the orifice in a straight line but rather will it flow in a whirling and spiral manner. Thisis accomplished 'by providing on the outer surface of turbulence plug I25 a spiral groove I28 sufllcient in size to carry the quantity of fuel desired, but so disposed as to impart to it the whirling direction desirable to increase turbulence. ;Fig. X shows a nozzle carrying such It is obvious that the length of arm 29 may be, within reasonable limits of manufacture, somewhat extended beyond the relative length appearing. in the drawings. In fact, through the use of a suitable connection, such as the flanges shown, the auxiliary tank may become, in effect,

simply a long extension or arm 28, as shown in Fig. I. However, the tank may be made larger than,v arm 29, as appears in Fig. III, wherein the larger tank is designated as 06.

Whether dry gas is to be delivered to the premgas burning appliances directly from the primary gas generating chamber, or from the auxiliary-generating tank, a

supplied with atomized fuel bea line or conduit of the same character carries this gas. Such a line is indicated by numeral 30; and this line carries and has mounted in it a standardgas pressure regulator 01 which reduces the gas. pressure from several pounds to a, few, ounces, usually'about six ounces, this being the best pressure for supplying burners. Such a well known to thetrade and within. its body a provides connection for a vent tube 88 for venting excess gas pressure to the atmosphere. This tube continues upwardly until above ground and is fitted with an inverted U-shaped outlet also carrying a. screen.

For handling the liqued fuel delivered by tank truck to storage tank I, and for controlling this ;fuel in storage there is l9 carrying the necessary, fittings. This head is circular in shape and carries threads 90 on its ower end, while its upper end is provided with be disposed substantially.

provided a service head screened bushing H 2,886,554 I 7, m

atelylabove this shoulder and resting thereon-is shoulders adapted to fit a suitable wrench for installing it and removing it from collar 92 whichis-weldd into an opening in the top of storage tank I. Incidentally, this opening allows internal inspection of the Four'vertical passagesareprovided through the head; and each passage is threaded at both the top and bottom ends for carrying fittings, except that passage I0! is threaded only at its top. I I

Filler passage 93 has mounted in its. top the filler connection 94 which carries heavy threads 95 for connecting a hose when thetank isbeing filled;, and a cap 90, with gasket, covers and seals this passage when it is not in use.

I The lower end of passage 93 has screwed into it a back pressure check valve 91 which normally remains closed by a spring and by pressure from within the tank, but which openswith the superior pressure of liquid fuel being delivered into the tank.

Safety relief passage as is fitted with a spring controlled safety relief valve 99 at its lower end, set to relieve excess pressure within tank I; and the upper end of this passage. has screwed into it I00 to keep out foreign ma-' a ring H3 which or "other attachment, to the outer side walls of inner tube I09, so that this inner tube may not pass downwardly below the point at which it is held by this ring upon this shoulder;

A further and larger shoulder H4 is also pro.-- vided in adapter l II on which rests afree ring H5, which ringis not attached to anything but merely rests on this second shoulder and above the fixed ring H3, so remains in place, tube I09 may not move upwardly; but the space between this free ring and the first shoulder I I2 afiords snug but nevertheless sufiicient room in which this fixed ring H3 may be rotated, along with the tube to which it is attached. The net result of this arrangement is that the tube may be rotated, but it may not be moved up or down, while 'thesystem is in ordinary operation.

Above the free ring H5 is packing space H6 filled with suitable packing material I", which I material may be compressed to firmly fill the entire packing space, and especially press against the side walls thereof to preventany fuel, whether liquid or gas, from passing out therethrough.

Fuel withdrawal passage. IlI is ordinarily plugged at its upper end with plug I02, because vthe use of this passage for withdrawing liquid fuel is optional and not employed unless the tank .is placed on or under ground (inwhich case collar 1 is plugged instead, along with collar I4) when passage II is used, plug I02 is removed, and a'valve similar to valve 9 is arranged to communicate with dip tube m through the use The lower end of passage 0 l therein a spring controlled excess flow check This gauge assembly determines the level of the liquid in tank I; and indicates the filling of the tank up to ninety per cent of its capacity, it not being desirable to fill the tank more than thatamount. The upper ten per cent space is left for the accumulation of gas and as a safety measure.

Outer tube I0! ,is provided with a series of spaced and graduated holes I08 spirally disposed Now, this packing material-is heldin place and may be subjected to further compression by a threaded packing nut H8 which is carried in the uppermost part of the adapter III to compress and control the packing and to keep the free ring in itsproper place.

. of pipe I21 and to further communicate with pipe IOI has screwed.

Disposed around-the outer edgeof the top side of the adapter III isa series of figures or other suitable indications which will disclose the relative positions of the two. tubes whenever they come to rest after any particular rotation or partial rotation; and thereby may be observed the quanturfi:., of liquid fuel in storage tank I. For each spirally placed hole in the outer tube, which may register\-. .with its companion hole in the other tube, there is a separate indication on this indicator face I19.

Above the indicator face and pointing to it is pointer I20 whichis firmly aiiixed to the upper extension of inner tiibe I09 by" the use of set screw I30, so that theipointer moves when the tube is rotated and also has .a short strong extension thereof constituting a handle I2I for .moving the tube and pointer around.

' reason of gasket Onthe extremeupper end of inner tube I09 is a cap I22 which, when screweddown firmly, closes and keeps the tube sealed, especially by I23 carried within this cap. However, by reason, of the threaded relation between this cap and the end of the tube it cararound its wall and adapted to successively regishole I24,

r ies, the cap can be. unscrewed part way without entirely removing it, and when so elevated, it.

exposes the contents of the tube to the indicator which passes through the side wall of the cap. Whenever this indicator hole is opened,

tank; and through this opening liquid .will flow upwardly through tube I09 only when liquid is at the levelof the holes then registering. Thus I the level of the liquid is disclosed. Both tubes aresealed at their bottom ends and they fit together closely. g e

The upperend of tube I01 is firmly fitted into adapter III by welding or through the use of threads. This adapter is provided with a shoulder H2 around the opening inside it; and immedithere will be forced out of it a small quantity i the contents of the inner tube, whether gas o liquid; and in this way may be observed the level at which liquid ceases to flow through the inner 1 tube and outof the indicator hole, and where gas begins. Wherever thistransition occurs is shown the liquid level within storage tank I.

, The above fittings carried by service head 89- constitute the usual complement of valves and fittings required on the tank for the operation of this system; and one arrangement and advantage of having all of these fittings carried by this is firmly afli ed. by welding that when free ringII5 it will indicate the relative positions of the two tubes. In fact, this pointer I uable safety feature, in that all of the service head fittings which could be broken oil and thereby, allow the escape of explosive fuel are placed below and depend from the under side of the head; and they are positioned entirely within the tank itself, where they are completelyprotected.

For instance, if through accident every extension above the top of the head were broken oil, there would be no escape of either gas or liquid fuel. This is thought to be the only system employing such remarkably safe construction and arrangement of these necessary control fittings.

Also important'is the fact that by reason of the design, construction and disposition of the service head and its complement of fittings, it is entirely possible to dispense altogether with all openings in the tank except the one carrying this head; and particularly is it possible to dispense with the openings represented by collars I and I4 on the under side 01' the tank, in which case mechanism varying considerably from that illustrated herein. 1

The essence of the method is to be found in the successive steps ofstoring liquefied petroleum gas in a pressure vessel under conditions that permit the absorption into the fuel of heat from the surrounding atmosphere or earth, the atomization of the liquid fuelwithdrawn from storage, and its introduction into a primary gas generating chamber buried in the earth where it may further absorb heat suilicient to generate the fuel into dry gas; and it is desirable that a further step be taken to hasten the process by operating the primarygenerating chamber under a pressure lower than the normal pressure of the liquefied gas in the storage tank.

Safety in the practice of the method is furthered by the use of a specially equipped control head in the storage tank for handling the liquid fuel in a manner that will prevent fires and explosions in the event of the accidental breakage of the exposed members and parts of the head; and greater safety is provided in the handling of the generated gas by employing automatic means which prevent the delivery of liquid fuel into the dry gas conductor leading to the consuming appliances.

The method, while substantially as stated, is

, more fully indicated by saying that: Liquefied passage IOI is put into use for delivering liquid fuel from the storage tank.

The back pressure'check valve 91, the safety relief valve 99, and the excess flow check valve I 03, depending below service head 89, may be constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure of applicant's prior Patent No. 2,188,597.

An expansion valve I3I may be used in this system in place of the standard expansion valve 44. Either expansion valve may be used without an atomizer nozzle. In such case, however, it is especially desirable that the primary generating chamber 8 be provided with controller 34 so that the pressure in this chamber may be kept normally low, the better to allow for complete expansion of the mist entering from the valve.

The details of this optional valve I3I are indicated in the drawings, wherein the body of the valve I32 provides liquid inlet channel I33 ending in valve seat I34 which is closed by plunger I35, fitted with seat material I36. The plunger is mounted in cylindrical opening I31 having around the walls thereof a plurality of mist passages I38 through which mist is discharged into the low pressure chamber 8.

Lever I39 is mounted on fulcrum pin I40, which is carried by the body of the valve; and the connection between this lever and the plunger is provided by pin I-H which engages notch I 42. The free end of the lever has a hole 13 therein so that control rod 64 may cooperate with the lever in the usual way. The elevation of diaphragm 31 causes the upward movement of control rod 64 to lift nut II against the free end of the lever and thereby close the valve.

Method and operation The operation ofthe mechanism disclosed as an example of suitable'apparatus for practicing this method has been indicated throughout the specification; and it is thought now to be apparent.

The method may be practiced with the disclosed apparatus, or with substantially equivalent equipment; but the method may be practiced with petroleum gas fuel, such as butane, propane, or the like, or a mixture of such fuel, in liquid form, is storedin a closed tank wherein it absorbs heat from the atmosphere or from the surrounding earth; and thus charged with a latent heat, this fuel is educted from storage in liquid state by the pressure of gas liberated within the storage tank;

and the discharge may be further aided by gravity.

The liquid fuel is then forced through an expansion valve, by which operation it is increased in volume and reduced in pressure. It is then immediately supplied to the primary gas generating chamber without further conditioning.

However, there is an increase in expansion by causing the delivery of the expanded fuel from the valve through a small opening and into a large chamberto more thoroughly atomize it. Within the primary generating chamber buried in the earth further and sufiicient heat is absorbed by the atomized fuel to cause its immediate translation into dry gas. The delivery of the fuel mist into the chamber in a state of turbulence speeds the process of generation.

Generation is quickened and the volume of dry gas is increased by operating the chamber under relatively low pressure: and it is desirable that liquid fuel be prevented from accumulating in the generating chamber and from passing to the service conduit feeding dry gas to the burners.

Inthe practice of the method fuel may be temporarily prevented by automatic means from entering the generating chamber; and this is accomplished without any interference whatever with the continuous flow of dry gas from the chamber to the burners. The method therefore contemplates the intermittent introduction into the generating chamber of a s'iziEi-uient amount of atomized fuel to furnish the required volume of dry gas continuously flowing to the burners.

I claim:

1. The method of producing gas fuel from liquefied petroleum gas stored in liquid form in a closed vessel, by causing its eduction therefrom in liquid form through the use of its own gas pressure; atomizing the liquid; introducing it in I ll I therefrom to convert ber buried in the earth; obtainingsuflicient heat all of the introduced fuel into vapor; maintaining low pressure in the chamber: and withdrawing gas from the chamber for consumption as needed, while balancing the rate of introduction of fuel into the chamber with the rate of withdrawal of fuel therefrom to substantially maintain the vaporized fuel in such state.

2. Themethod of preparing gas fuel from liquefied petroleum gas stored in a pressure vessel, said method comprising the removal therefrom of liquid fuel as needed; the passage of such liquid through an expansion valve to increase its volume and lessen its pressure; the delivery of expanded fuel into a chamber buried in the earth; the withdrawal of gas from such chamber; and the correlating of the introduction of fuel into the chamber and the withdrawal of fuel therefrom so as to cause substantially all of the fuelso introduced to flash into vapor and remain in such form while in the chamber and maintain the. chamber substantially free from liquid.

3. The method of treating liquefied petroleum gas stored in a tank, comprising withdrawing it therefrom in increments, atomizing the withdrawn increments, injecting the atomized mist as made into a chamber buried in the earth, deflect- .ing thefmist as injected toward the outer walls of the chamber, exposing the deflected mist to the heat of the earth until converted into gas,

. and withdrawing the gas for consumption.

4. The method of satisfying the demand of fuel consuming means for gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, which consists of withdrawing such fuel in liquid form from a source of supply at the rate the fuel is consumed, reducing the withdrawn liquid to a mist, converting such mist to a gas vapor by expansion in a zone obtaining sufficient heat from the earth alone to maintain the vapor in such state andin a quantity equal to the. rate of fuel consumption, then conducting the fuel to the consuming means. I

5. In a gas generating system, a chamber buried in theiarth; a conduit adapted to convey liquid the liquid into a mist and deliver the mist into the chamber; and float means constructed to close the valve whenever a small quantity of liquid collects in the chamber. 7

6. In a gas generating system, a tank for storing liquefied petroleum gas: a conduit leading therefrom; an expansion valve arranged to receive liquid fuel from the conduit; a vaporizing chamber buried in the earth, said expansion valve being located within said vaporizing chamber and arranged to discharge fuel into theinterior thereof; pressure operated diaphragm means for opening and closing the valve; and conduit means for removing gas from said chamber.

7. In a system for generating gas from liquefied petroleum gas, a storage tank; a chamber buried in the earth; a pipe connecting the tank with the ed to deliver atomized fuel into the latter; and] float operated means for actuating the valve to limit the flow of liquid into the chamber.

8. In a gas generating system, a storage tank above the earth, a primary gas generating chamber buried in the earth; an atomizer between the tank and chamber-and communicating with both and arranged to receive liquid from the tank and discharge it in the form of mist into the chamber; an auxiliary gas generating chamber communicating with the primary chamber; and automatic means for maintaining both chambers under a pressure lower than that of the tank.

9. In a device for converting liquid fuel into gas, a gas generating chamber adapted to be buried in the earth; an expansion valve carried by such chamber; an atomizer arranged to receive expanded fuel from the valve and deliver atomized mist into the chamber; control structure including means within the chamber for closing the valve when liquid fuel accumulates in the chamber in a small quantityw I JOHNR. HOLICER. 

